PLANNERS have approved a major new base at Robroyston for publisher HarperCollins.

The company plans to relocate from Bishopbriggs to the huge new warehouse logistics facility at a 45-acre site at Nova Business Park.

Planners stated in their report: “The [applicant’s design] document demonstrates that the development of this site will result in a well-designed and high-quality scheme that has addressed the challenges of scale and context and will provide a desirable development.”

Various improvements for pedestrians in the surrounding area have been agreed as part of the development:

• New controlled pedestrian crossing on Robroyston Road between Nova Park access and Robroyston Road
• Upgrade of the pedestrian crossing over Louden Hill Road
• Upgrade of footway over Robroyston Road (north)
• Upgrade of two bus stops

The planning application states there will be almost 500,000 sq ft of warehouse space and four-storey, 50,000 sq ft office accommodation.

There will be 40 loading docks and parking spaces for 88 lorries plus 372 cars.

A supporting planning statement explained: “The development proposed by Tritax Symmetry Glasgow East Ltd will provide a new home for HarperCollins UK publishers, with modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation in a highly-accessible location, a short distance from their current location at Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs.

“The proposed logistics depot with ancillary offices, access, parking and associated infrastructure will be set within a high quality scheme of landscaping with enhanced open spaces.”

The statement continued: “It is hoped that this balanced approach will create a successful, sustainable, well-integrated addition to Nova Business Park, and will achieve the aims of the Local Development Plan to deliver employment opportunities and economic benefits for the local and regional population to this site.”

HarperCollins UK employs and provides work for around 500 people across its supply chain, editorial and support functions in Bishopbriggs, where is has been based since 1973.

The company has a 200-year association with Glasgow, having been founded in the city by William Collins in 1819. HarperCollins UK is a division of HarperCollins publishers, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 17 countries.